Important: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court fees and requirements change frequently. Always verify with your local court before filing.
Guardianship in Illinois
Open-data reference.
Filing a guardianship in Illinois costs $250–$400 - among the most expensive of the 10 states we track. The typical timeline is 2-4 months, and a mandatory waiting period of 60 days applies before the court can finalize the matter.
Minor (under 18) with no parents, or adult with incapacity
What This Means for Your Guardianship Filing in Illinois
Filing for guardianship in Illinois costs $250–$400 at the courthouse, the first financial barrier most self-represented filers face. Probate Division of Circuit Court. Guardian ad litem fees vary. Beyond the filing fee, a mandatory waiting period of 60 days applies before the court can finalize the matter, and the typical case timeline is 2-4 months. County-level surcharges and service-of-process fees can add to that total; see our court fee waiver guide for who qualifies to file without paying.
Procedurally, Illinois lays out 6 distinct steps, and the clerk typically requires 5 core document categories to open your case. Residency rules matter: Ward must reside in Illinois. Grounds or legal theory must be stated clearly in the initial petition - Minor (under 18) with no parents, or adult with incapacity (see our pro se filing guide for common filing mistakes to avoid).
Filing Fee Details
Probate Division of Circuit Court. Guardian ad litem fees vary.
How Illinois compares to other states
Illinois ranks #4 of 10 states for guardianship filing cost. Each bar is a state's upper-bound guardianship filing fee, from $250 (NC) to $500 (FL); Illinois is highlighted at $400.
Source: state court filing-fee schedules (upper-bound fee per state). Verify current amounts with the relevant court. How we calculate this ranking →
Key Requirements
- Petition for Guardianship
- Medical evaluation
- Background check
- Court hearing
- Letters of Guardianship issued
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
File Petition in Probate Division
- 2
Medical evaluation
- 3
Background check
- 4
Notice to relatives
- 5
Hearing
- 6
Letters of Guardianship issued
Grounds / Eligibility
Minor (under 18) with no parents, or adult with incapacity
Quick Reference
- Filing Fee
- $250–$400
- Residency
- Ward must reside in Illinois
- Waiting Period
- 60 days
- Typical Timeline
- 2-4 months
Official Resources
Other Civil Processes in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file for guardianship in Illinois?
The filing fee for guardianship in Illinois is $250–$400. Probate Division of Circuit Court. Guardian ad litem fees vary.
How long does guardianship take in Illinois?
2-4 months
Do I need a lawyer for guardianship in Illinois?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for guardianship in Illinois, but legal representation is recommended for complex cases. Free or low-cost legal aid may be available, see lawhelp.org for Illinois resources.
Is there a waiting period for guardianship in Illinois?
Illinois requires a mandatory waiting period of 60 days before the process can be finalized.
What are the residency requirements for guardianship in Illinois?
Ward must reside in Illinois
What documents are needed for guardianship in Illinois?
Key requirements include: Petition for Guardianship; Medical evaluation; Background check.
Where does this data come from?
This information is sourced from Illinois court websites, legal aid organizations, and public court fee schedules, last verified 2026-03. See our methodology for full sourcing details.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | PlainCivil |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |